The image of a man openly carrying an assault rifle in a Riverdale store last year will spark renewed discussion of disorderly conduct and how it applies to Second Amendment rights in the upcoming legislative session.

Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clinton and Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, are both running separate bills to define the ability of law enforcement to charge a person openly carrying a weapon in public places with disorderly conduct. Both were co-sponsors of legislation that cleared the House in 2013, but died when compromise language raised opposition to the measure.

For Ray, this is the third consecutive session he has attempted to address the issue. He honestly sees little chance for the bill to be signed into law, without some significant compromise -- something he is doubtful will happen. He said his bill last year ran into opposition from the state organization representing police chiefs and the Utah League of Cities and Towns. The bill cleared committee with compromise language and then the House amended the language before approving it and sending it to the Senate, where it never came up for vote.

"There is no middle ground. The chiefs of police want us to throw out the Fourth Amendment, basically. They want to force someone to talk to them, if there is not probable cause. You can't do that," Ray said.

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